Sunday Post (99) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Another month has come and gone and I've been a bad, bad blogger. I just haven't been motivated to write lately. Although I did read some books in November and early December I feel like I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment. I've read a couple of good books but everything else is lackluster. Even my current read (though it is good) isn't keeping my attention. I have too much on my mind I guess. Good thing there is Netflix. I haven't started the newest season of The Crown yet but I hope to get to it this week. I've been watching Christmas movies on and off as well as the Crisis on Earth-X crossover on CW. TV holds my attention better than books I guess.

Work has been crazy busy as I finished up ordering for the year. I still had a considerable amount of money left in my book and DVD budgets. I managed to spend the book budget but still have DVD money left over so I may go to Walmart next week to buy some more DVDs to add to our collection. I had my last program of the year on Monday. It was a craft night and we made wreath ornaments using shower curtain rings and tulle. Only a handful of people attended but they loved it. 

This week I will be finalizing the details of my year long reading program for adults. Although it was a bit of an ordeal, we got the Friends of the Library to agree to sponsor one year of reading program software so we can offer our reading programs online. Really excited about that and hopefully our patrons will like it too. 

On the personal front I will be trying to figure out what kind of car I can afford. My mechanic informed me this past week that it is time to get a new car. Mine has a part on the verge of breaking that would cost over $1000 to fix. I've had my car almost 15 years now (it was a year old when I bought it) so I guess it is time. I just don't want the extra cost of another loan on top of undergrad and grad loans and medical debt. Boo! No wonder I can't concentrate on books lately :)

Books read (over the past month):

Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz

This was seriously disappointing. Not very historically accurate and there was lots of manufactured drama including an attempted rape. The only thing I liked about it was the character of Eliza. There is a sequel but I won't be reading it. I am going to give some of the Eliza Hamilton historical novels written for adults a try instead.

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

It pains me to say that I was disappointed by this novella too. I loved A Man Called Ove and last year's novella, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. This book just didn't have the same emotional impact for me. Although there is a Christmas tree on the front of the book, the story is depressing for this time of year if you are looking for a holiday read. Stick with A Christmas Carol instead!

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

I wondered if this would be like A Man Called Ove but Arthur was pretty charming rather than grumpy. Every day he takes his lunch to the cemetery and visits with his late wife and one day he meets and befriends Maddy, a sad and prickly teen who is mourning the loss of her mom and going through a hard time. 

Kiss Carlo by Adriana Trigiani

I had hoped I would like this as much as The Shoemaker's Wife but I was disappointed once again. Maybe that will be the only Adriana Trigiani book I like. This one had some interesting parts but too much going on in the story and too many characters to keep track of. We had plenty to talk about at our book discussion though.

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

While I mostly liked this book I did have issues with the way it ended. It was fun to catch up with the characters from the first book though and I loved that it was set in London and New York during Christmas. I kind of hope there will be a third book about Issy because I want to know what happens next.

Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright

This is not a contemporary retelling of any Jane Austen novels but instead is about a woman who is a fan of Jane Austen. She recently broke up with someone she had thought she'd marry someday and then finds herself working with his brother and sparks develop between them. I liked it but didn't love it because I thought she was too romance obsessed at times (she spent way too much time thinking of her feelings about both brothers even when at work).

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

I loved this book. The feminist Grrl Power and the friendships especially. I wish I'd been into the Riot Grrl movement as a teen but I hadn't heard of it in rural Ohio and I didn't truly embrace the feminist movement till I got to college. I became a huge fan of Kat Stratford from Ten Things I Hate About You and loved reading feminist theory.

Books listened to:

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (reread)

I love rereading this classic at Christmas. I listened to an abridged version read by Sir Patrick Stewart (he also stars in a film adaptation). We discussed this in my evening book group last month. 

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (reread)

Currently reading:

Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford

I loved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and so far this is pretty good too. It just isn't holding my attention that well because I think I am either in the mood for something lighter or just have too much other distractions on my mind. I am hoping to finish this by the end of the year. I may put it down and pick up something less depressing though.

New books received:

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva (library book)

We're Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union (library book)

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (library book)